Jimmy Chitwood
Hall of Famer
missed in the eternally ongoing and "heartwarming" story of the Bus-with-no-gas pedal returning to his beloved Detroit to play in Super Bowl XL (which also describes his ever-growing waistline), another interesting story was nearly completely overlooked. i say nearly even though ESPN never mentioned it at all, because it made it to the NFL Europe website.
the story concerns Sean Morey, a gifted athlete who has played both wide receiver and cornerback in his struggle to make it to the NFL. while earning accolades in NFLE at both positions in various stints overseas, his place in the NFL came merely with the ever-tenuous position of white special teams demon.
Morey's story
February 3, 2006
NFL Europe
Sean Morey has taken a hard route to Super Bowl XL. (waynepaulo.com)
Pittsburgh wide receiver Sean Morey is not going to be the best known player on the field when the Seahawks and Steelers meet in Super Bowl XL, but he just might have taken the longest and hardest road to get here. After three years in NFL Europe and a circuitous route through the NFL, the special teams maven has his moment in the sun.
Morey played for the Barcelona Dragons in 2000 and 2001, and although he distinguished himself as a hard worker, injuries and a change of position - from receiver to corner - meant that he struggled to find an NFL team willing to take him on board.
"The first year I went to NFL Europe I was injured, I had a high ankle sprain and I limped through the entire season, though a lot of pain" Morey explained. "The second year I went over to play defense so I was out of position and people really hadn't seen what I was able to do as a receiver."
That led him to decide to return in his natural position in 2003, and his hard work and effort for Jack Bicknell's team secured him a roster spot with the Philadelphia Eagles.
"The third year I went there in such good shape that I wanted to prove myself to the Eagles and show my confidence at the wide receiver position so that they would give me a chance to make the team and play special teams. Going back that third year and getting into the line up with the Eagles that preseason made all the difference."
The grateful Morey repaid head coach Andy Reid's faith in him - being elected Philadelphia's special teams MVP for the 2003 season and becoming their special teams captain. However, just when it looked like he had found a footballing home, Morey was unexpectedly cut, despite earning the accolades from both his peers and the media.
"In my eyes, just to get that one year with the Eagles, just to make it to be special teams captain and an all-pro for Dr. Z's in Sports Illustrated, I had lived my dream," he admits. I had accomplished what I wanted to do. I just wanted to dress out for a NFL game and I never thought that I'd be here at the Super Bowl, as much as I dreamed about it."
Not only is Morey going to be in Super Bowl XL - his persistence and doggedness, qualities embodied by his new teammates with the Pittsburgh Steelers - they have voted him to be their special teams captain for this game.
"I feel good to be here. It's been a long time waiting and obviously this is something every kid dreams of, to be here," Morey explains. "I'm going to try to keep myself composed up until game time so I can put it all out on the field."
Morey is happy to have this chance to be in the biggest game of his life. (waynepaulo.com)
Is he disappointed that the Steelers probably will not be sending him in to the game to play at wide receiver? Of course not. Morey prides himself on his special teams role, and knows that he has as much of a shot as making a game-turning play there as he does with the ball in his hands.
"Let's be honest, I am type-cast as a special teams player, but I understand that role," Morey says. "The fact that I'm here and playing and I have a chance to be out there for the coin toss at the Super Bowl, who'd have thought that? I've been to four championship games and this past year is the first time I've won. I don't care what they call me, just let me play and I'm happy.
"I'm going to try to keep it in perspective. It's just a game, it really is and I'm going to enjoy it. It will be an opportunity to showcase our talents, and on special teams I'm hoping to make a big play, maybe cause a turnover, whatever I can do to change the course of the game."
He may not have the name Bettis, Roethlisberger or Ward on his back, but the Seahawks better keep an eye out for number 81, because if he has his way, this could be Morey's day.
here's the link: http://www.nfleurope.com/news/story/9206192
the story concerns Sean Morey, a gifted athlete who has played both wide receiver and cornerback in his struggle to make it to the NFL. while earning accolades in NFLE at both positions in various stints overseas, his place in the NFL came merely with the ever-tenuous position of white special teams demon.
Morey's story
February 3, 2006
NFL Europe
Sean Morey has taken a hard route to Super Bowl XL. (waynepaulo.com)
Pittsburgh wide receiver Sean Morey is not going to be the best known player on the field when the Seahawks and Steelers meet in Super Bowl XL, but he just might have taken the longest and hardest road to get here. After three years in NFL Europe and a circuitous route through the NFL, the special teams maven has his moment in the sun.
Morey played for the Barcelona Dragons in 2000 and 2001, and although he distinguished himself as a hard worker, injuries and a change of position - from receiver to corner - meant that he struggled to find an NFL team willing to take him on board.
"The first year I went to NFL Europe I was injured, I had a high ankle sprain and I limped through the entire season, though a lot of pain" Morey explained. "The second year I went over to play defense so I was out of position and people really hadn't seen what I was able to do as a receiver."
That led him to decide to return in his natural position in 2003, and his hard work and effort for Jack Bicknell's team secured him a roster spot with the Philadelphia Eagles.
"The third year I went there in such good shape that I wanted to prove myself to the Eagles and show my confidence at the wide receiver position so that they would give me a chance to make the team and play special teams. Going back that third year and getting into the line up with the Eagles that preseason made all the difference."
The grateful Morey repaid head coach Andy Reid's faith in him - being elected Philadelphia's special teams MVP for the 2003 season and becoming their special teams captain. However, just when it looked like he had found a footballing home, Morey was unexpectedly cut, despite earning the accolades from both his peers and the media.
"In my eyes, just to get that one year with the Eagles, just to make it to be special teams captain and an all-pro for Dr. Z's in Sports Illustrated, I had lived my dream," he admits. I had accomplished what I wanted to do. I just wanted to dress out for a NFL game and I never thought that I'd be here at the Super Bowl, as much as I dreamed about it."
Not only is Morey going to be in Super Bowl XL - his persistence and doggedness, qualities embodied by his new teammates with the Pittsburgh Steelers - they have voted him to be their special teams captain for this game.
"I feel good to be here. It's been a long time waiting and obviously this is something every kid dreams of, to be here," Morey explains. "I'm going to try to keep myself composed up until game time so I can put it all out on the field."
Morey is happy to have this chance to be in the biggest game of his life. (waynepaulo.com)
Is he disappointed that the Steelers probably will not be sending him in to the game to play at wide receiver? Of course not. Morey prides himself on his special teams role, and knows that he has as much of a shot as making a game-turning play there as he does with the ball in his hands.
"Let's be honest, I am type-cast as a special teams player, but I understand that role," Morey says. "The fact that I'm here and playing and I have a chance to be out there for the coin toss at the Super Bowl, who'd have thought that? I've been to four championship games and this past year is the first time I've won. I don't care what they call me, just let me play and I'm happy.
"I'm going to try to keep it in perspective. It's just a game, it really is and I'm going to enjoy it. It will be an opportunity to showcase our talents, and on special teams I'm hoping to make a big play, maybe cause a turnover, whatever I can do to change the course of the game."
He may not have the name Bettis, Roethlisberger or Ward on his back, but the Seahawks better keep an eye out for number 81, because if he has his way, this could be Morey's day.
here's the link: http://www.nfleurope.com/news/story/9206192